HMS Sutherland (F81)

HMS Sutherland is currently taking part in Joint Warrior, beginning with Exercise Griffin Strike.

She is working alongside the Fleet Flagship HMS Ocean, Assault Ship HMS Bulwark and RFA Lyme Bay as well as French Navy counterparts including the including the assault helicopter carrier FS Dixmude.

The aim of Ex Griffin Strike is to test the working partnership between the two countries and test the Ango-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force”, or CJEF.

The exercise will show how UK and French maritime, land and air forces can be deployed rapidly together for a wide range of bilateral operations and, if called upon, work together as part of a NATO, EU or UN coalition operation.

Despite being the 13th of 16 Type 23 frigates, HMS Sutherland has clocked up numerous firsts:

The first warship to pass under the Skye Bridge; first circumnavigation of the globe by a Royal Navy ship in 14 years; first ship to receive and fire the updated Seawolf air defence missile system; most rounds fired by a modified 4.5in ‘Kryten’ gun in one day (247 if you were wondering).

She is also Britain’s fastest frigate, reaching more than 34 knots (39mph) during trials in 2004.

Given her Scottish roots it’s perhaps only right that she was launched with the smashing of a bottle of whisky, not champagne, against the hull on the slipway at the Yarrow yard (now BAE) on the Clyde back in 1996.

HMS Sutherland was commissioned into the Navy one year later in Devonport.

If you ever visit the north-west tip of Scotland, you’ll find HMS Sutherland's name spelled out in giant boulders overlooking Loch Eriboll.

A resurrected tradition from the days when the great natural anchorage was used regularly by the Fleet and ship’s companies listed their vessels – such as Valiant and Hood – on the hillside.

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Maritime security

British ships and units, which include the Royal Marines, are committed to operations around the world. Operations focus on maritime security, reassurance and wider regional engagement to build regional maritime capability.

British ships and units, which include the Royal Marines, are committed to operations around the world. Operations focus on maritime security, reassurance and wider regional engagement to build regional maritime capability.

Cold Weather training brings together ships, aircraft and marines in the Arctic

Providing security at sea

The UK has a responsibility to its citizens and its allies to endeavour to safeguard the high seas. This is why the Royal Navy protects home and international waters – making sure the global trade that Britain and the world depend on can proceed without a hitch.

International partnerships

As the fifth largest economy in the world, the UK has responsibilities towards its allies and partners. But Britain also has global ambitions – namely to protect the seaways underpinning the country’s prosperity. The Royal Navy plays a crucial role in fostering these enduring and lasting alliances with other nations.